Monday Mourning

Newhaven FC visit Seaford Town in the 1st Round of the RUR Cup at the Crouch

The Dockers visit the Badgers on a calm late summer evening. Ezra starts in place of Luca and Rob Malia is in for Warwick who was in the crowd tonight. The Dockers were beaten 4-2 by the Badgers in the Steve Charman Cup at Fort Road last month so we are hoping we reverse that result tonight.

Both sides started with some attacking intent but not enough quality (contender for understatement of the year) to deliver any goals. After just 5 minutes Bailey was shouting at the rest of his teammates with a vivid description of how badly he thought they were playing. Although entirely accurate, it didn't seem to improve things. The Dockers did have the best of the half chances with Billy hitting the bar with a high looping cross that, for a few seconds, looked like it might curl into the top corner. Everything else was wide of the mark or blocked by the defensive wall. Nothing much else of interest happened until the last minute of the half when Bussy stuck out a leg to save a shot from close range after a disputed few kick. Level and depressed at the break. At this point it would have been nice if the ref had put this game out of its misery by calling for pens after 45 instead of making us watch another 45 minutes of this.

It got a bit more interesting in the second half when the hosts scored at the near post on 58 after a corner wasn't cleared. The other highlight was when Alfie flattened Herbie, now a Badger, in a 'robust' challenge. The Dockers started making changes as they got more and more desperate to get back into the game. And it did look desperate as they ended up with just 2 defenders. Luca came on for Ezra and Sean Saunders for Cal. Cal had had a frustrating game being so starved of supply up front that he was left to feed off the bones of the scraps after they had been picked clean by Turkey Vultures and left out in the Sahara for a couple of years. Luca made a difference, as did Calum Edwards when they came on, bringing some energy and enthusiasm, but between them they were not able to bring enough of an influence to the struggling Dockers. Robbie was moved forward up front to use his height and physicality in the style of Millie Bright for the Lionesses. The changes and the impending cup exit livened up the struggling Dockers in the last few minutes.  It could well have worked if done a little earlier but it was too late to stop the Dockers crashing stumbling wilfully out of the cup.

Maybe it's a hangover from the fantastic performance and great result on Saturday but there was no cohesion between the team and passing, especially long balls, was poor. It wasn't for lack of trying but it just didn't work today. Wa dust wa selves down and go again.

The Ref, who was described as the worst in the league by someone that we won't name, could have been worse. He let things go more than expected but unfortunately this included the ever increasing time wasting by the Badgers towards the end of the game. There weren't many offsides but then there wasn't much off the ball running.

POTM: Billy had one of the few decent performances running up and down the eight wing and going past defenders.

A very short cup run jog amble. Concentrating on the league and the FA Cup.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

At the Crouch

Four On The Floor

Newhaven FC host Spelthorne Sports in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup at the Trafalgar Ground

The Dockers ⚓ host The Spelly at a sun 🌞 drenched Fort Road in a bid to get to the 1st Qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in 61 years. It's always hard to gauge how good teams in other leagues are going to be. Let's find out.

The Spelly, not the Smelly, were out to win and it and were combative from the off. Oh, and vocal. Very vocal 🦜, more on that later. The Dockers have early chances as Owen headed on to the bar on 16 minutes then Robbie does the same with the post a minute later. The Smelly, it was always going to happen, had a go too and thought they had a penalty until their no.9 was booked for diving. He got his revenge when he broke through to go one on one with Bussy and chipped the ballover the stranded keeper. It looked like it was going over but it just drops under the bar and hits the back of the net. 0-1. Newhaven's hard work eventually pays off and they get a penalty for a shirt pull on Little. Alfie tries to break the net as he smashes it in on 45 ⚽. 1-1.  Luca was a mile offside (that's 2 yards in old money) in the move that led up to the penalty but the linesperson hadn't kept up and play continued. All level at the break. It will go to penalties if it finishes like this.

A half time change and Luca is replaced by Ezra. Then the goalfest started. Little Robbo scored on 54 after a pass from Cal ⚽. 2-1. He found the net again on 64 ⚽. 3-1. Ezra is booked for delaying a freekick and Sidders comes on the the injured Robbie. The goal tally increases as Little's shot is blocked and Cal puts the rebound in the net ⚽. 4-1. Little isn't put off and gets his hattrick on 75 ⚽. 5-1. Sean Stephenson comes on for Cal on 75. Wouldn't like to be a Spelly defender right now, 5-1 down and fresh legs coming on to run at you. But it's old legs that score next as Little gets his 4th on 79 ⚽. It calms down for a while and it's almost a goal drought in this context as we have to wait until the 96th minute for another goal. It's Alfie finally on the score sheet after a pass from Sean ⚽. 7-1. Seveeeerrrrnnnnn one to the Dockers.

Wow. What a game that was. Dockers score 6 in the second half with no reply. The score line makes it look like it was a great footballing event but at times it was very ugly. Lots to excessive tackles and shouting at the ref. Their no. 7 kept shouting "How many times ref?" until the 5th official started shouting it back when he, surprisingly, went very quiet. Dockers could do no wrong in the second half and Little was on fire 🔥. He has had so many near misses last season , really pleased that it is coming good now. They have had a few second half collapses this season but this was the opposite. The opposition didn't help themselves and lost their composure. Too much energy wasted shouting at the ref and not enough focus on their own performance.

POTM: Only ever going to be one choice here and is 4 goal hero Ian Robinson 🥇.

Ref: Huge 🤡. Kept overruling the lines people and giving throws the wrong way. Did book them for diving and dissent but shouldn't dissent have also been a sinbin. Just saying. He never really got a grip on the game. He waved away the Dockers 2nd half penalty shouts despite the lines person flagging it, the ref going over to talk to them, then making completely the wrong decision. Doh. 🤦‍♂️

Through to the qualifying rounds which will be Cray Wanderers away in a couple of weeks. More cup action on Tuesday as we visit Seaford at The Crouch in the RUR Cup. 

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

The sun is shining at Fort Road

The Seven Sisters is in

Strong line up

Scenic Newhaven

Duck!

On the Beeb

Don't Let me Downs

Newhaven FC host Crawley Down Gatwick FC in the SCFL Premier League at the Trafalgar Ground

The Dockers ⚓host the Anvils at on an early Autumn evening at Fort Road by the River Ouse. It's the first home league game of the season after 2 away draws so let's hope it's 3 point today. The Anvils were runners up in the league last season with the Dockers finishing just behind them so it will be a tough game and a good measure of how the rebuilt Dockers are doing compared to last season. Cal is up front with Alfie behind and Robbie starts at the back.

It was busy from the beginning with both sides looking to take an early lead but we had to wait until 16 minutes for the first goal! It was the Dockers who took the lead with a clinical finish from inside the box by Calum Connor ⚽. He waits until 25 for his second with a tidy shot into the net ⚽. The Anvils get a chance on 30 but it skims the outside of the post. Alfie takes a corner for the Dockers and Robbie heads it into the net on 35 ⚽. The Dockers are 3-0 up and in control at the break.

The Dockers not so confident after the restart. The Anvils get a disputed freekick on 58. It is well taken and comfortably finds the top of the net. 3-1. Time for some changes as Ezra comes on for Cal after his brace of goals. Dockers have a good shout for a penalty on 70 after Alfie goes 1 on 1 with the keeper and is brought down but the ref waves it away. It's not waved away when Luca is brought down by a clumsy challenge after a clever run. Alfie (finally) smashes it home on 80. 4-1 with 10 to go. More changes with Alfie replaced by James Rhodes and Luca by Harry who is normally a defender but goes to the right wing. Sidders and Tegan come on for Robbie Kieth and Ryan Warwick. The Anvils get a second consolation when gifted an easy goal on 85 and it ends 4-2.

The first half was great and the Dockers were well in control. The second half didn't go as well and it's hard to know what happened. Maybe the changes disrupted the play or the decisions were going again them. It certainly got a bit nervy until the 4th goal as we have seen a 2nd half collapse or 2 from the Dockers recently. Glad they held out this time although they made us suffer.

POTM: Callum Connor 🏆 for the goals ⚽⚽, the quality of the finishes and the great close control.

Ref: Did ok for most of the game but some of the big calls wrong. Keeper got nowhere near the ball for the Alfie penalty shout which was much clearer than the soft on that was given. Guilty conscience? Also penalised some nothing fouls and let some big ones go. Line keeping was ok too.

Scanometer is still on holiday 🏖

That's it for league football for a while, with some cup games coming up next.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Home, sweet home

My boys

Bright lights, Big ferry

Dons Go Breaking My Heart 💔

Tranmere Rovers FC v Milton Keynes Dons at Stadium MK in EFL League 2

Rovers face MK Donald's on a warm but wet day in Buckinghamshire. Lots of new faces and a few familiar ones. Central defence is the same with Davies and Turnbull but the fullbacks are new as Bristow has gone to Minnesota and Cogley to NotloB. Thought he had more taste 😞. On the left is Leake and the right is McAlear. Paul Lewis is in the middle with Kieron and Regen Henry. Up front is new boy Norris with old favourites Hawkes and Saunders. In goal is Luke McGee who we know from Forest Green where he was displaced by Ross Doughan when they paid us a significant fee for his services in January. Hope we got the upgrade. It's the most attacking we have seen the Rovers look for a while, it will take time to gel but the signs are good.

It's start badly when the hosts win the toss and decide to change ends. Really, why? It is a bit amusing as the photographers are all packing up and scuttling round the ground to change ends as well. The attacking line up doesn't seem to work initially for the Whites, seen here in the new black away kit, and the Dons score on just 7. It was hard to see what happened as we behind the other goal but it didn't look like we put up much resistance and gave away the soft free kick that led to the goal. I was very scrappy but improved slightly towards the end of the half when Hawkes moved centrally for a while and was starting to create attacking movements. The Rovers still a goal down at the break though.

Dawes made 3 changes at half time with O'Connor on for McAlear, Dennis for Lewis and (O E O we love ) Connor Jennings on for Hawkes. It looked better straight away and Saunders was starting to cause the hosts issues with his pace and energy but got injured and was subbed on the hour mark. On came Sam Taylor the youngster who scored his first senior goal at Wimbledon last time we saw Tranmere play. They came very close to scoring with a few great chances with Connors heading just wide x 2 and Norris either hitting the bar from close range or drawing a great save from the Dons keeper. MK had one attack in the second half but it was well just saved a by the leg of McGee. A much better second half and should have won it easily but for the quality of the final ball.

Tranmere looked better than they have done for a while with the attacking intent and better range of options available. It will take a while for the team to gel and for Dawsey to find his best 11 but already better to watch. Regen Henry, Luke Norris and Connor all looking like really positive signings. We were put in the upper stand at one end which wasn't the best view but we could see Joe's bald patch from up there during the warm up. It also meant we were well out of the rain when it came down. And it did come down and when it did, it was very funny watching the MK fans in the front 10 row scurry back under cover like crabs crossing the road🦀🛣🤣. And then it was twice as funny when it happened again a bit later 🤣🤣. After such a great performance in the second half it seems a shame that we are not going to see the whites again until Crawley but there are plenty of other games to keep us busy until then.

POTM: O E O We love Connor Jennings 😍 but today it goes to Regen Henry 🏆 for the consistent quality of his play.

Ref: 🤡

Stewarding was a bit much for some fans enjoying themselves. It wasn't quite Swindon levels but could have done so much more to defuse things instead of causing them to escalate.

Bottle top update 🍾: You are not allowed to take in a bottle with a lid but you can take in an empty bottle up to 500ml. There is nowhere to fill it up but don't worry about that. If you buy a bottle of water, it comes complete with the lid 😜.

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

1

Back MK

Common Cents

Newhaven FC v Little Common FC in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round at the Trafalgar Ground

The Dockers are back at Fort Road to face the Common who have decided to do us the of honour of attending our Council Estate for 90 minutes of cup football. Having drawn the first league fixture last weekend, it's time to start on the road to Wembley. Bailey is back in the squad after his red card last Saturday was cancelled. It seems that a lot of our favourites from last season have gone to Lancing including Lucas, Charlie and Henry. We wish them good luck but they won't need it as they are all well capable of the step up. Also Marchin has moved away which is sad as he was great to watch 🏃‍♂️. We are getting familiar with the big number of new faces now and it's a strong line up. It's going to be a wet and windy one so let's see how it goes.

It's a good balanced game and going end to end. Dockers start to get a few chances and score first with a great strike from the left by Callum Edwards on 16 ⚽. It start to rain 🌧☔ really hard but that doesn't stop Callum as he gets his brace on 32 when he cuts in from wide right and put it in the top corner 🎯👀⚽. It a 2-0 lead for the Dockers at the break. We know what happened to first half lead in the last couple of games 😭. We head to the stand to dry out a bit.

The second half sees the Dockers playing well but with none of the chances being taken. It's that old 3rd goal issue again, always a bit nervy. As the half progresses, the changes start to be made and cohesion start to slip slowly away. At least the rain has decreased too🌂. Callum Edwards gets his hattrick on 72 ⚽ with a low shot from the right that deflects in off the defender on the line. The Common start to dominate in the final period and pull one back on 82. Jake's goal is under siege as the final whistle approaches but he makes some good saves and it finishes 3-1.

A cup win means another round as the Dockers host Spelthorne Sports here at Fort Road in 2 weeks. Prize money is £1,125 for the winners today. It was a good game to watch with some stunning goals and a good team performance for the most part. Looking forward to the rest of the season as there are some great new signings and it could be really special as they continue to gel as a unit.

POTM: Goes to Callum (top bins 🎯) Edwards 🏆 for his fantastic trio of goals⚽⚽⚽. Any one of those would have been great but to score 3 of that quality bodes well for the rest of the season. No wonder we got battered by Peacehaven at Easter 🤣.

The ref was hopeless and got more wrong than right. The lines person at the Skate park end was a breath of fresh air with his understanding and implementation of the offside rule for Callum's first goal👏.

The ferry ⛴, Seven Sisters, was bang on tinme again, well done Captain 👏.

Up next is our first Tranmere game of the season at MK Dons. I'm lovin' it!

Love Tranmerekat 🐾

Looks like a wet one at Fort Road today

Posing in the Skate Park

The teams sheet has moved

On the attack